Babar Azam Opens Up On The Reason Behind His Tweet For Virat Kohli

Pakistan captain Babar Azam had won a lot of hearts on social media after he tweeted his support for talismanic India batter Virat Kohli, who is going through a lean patch for nearly three years.

On Thursday, shortly after Kohli was dismissed for 16 in the second ODI against England at Lord's, Babar put out a tweet with a picture of him and Kohli from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup last year, with the caption reading as "this too shall pass. Stay strong #viratkohli."

Soon after the tweet was released, many cricket fans started praising Babar for supporting Kohli. On the eve of Pakistan's first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, in a press conference, Babar revealed his reasons behind tweeting in favour of Kohli.

"Definitely. See, as a player myself, I know you can go through such a phase (out of form). I also know what a player goes through in such a phase and how can one come out of it. In those times, you need support.

"As a player, I just tweeted thinking that it will give just some support. He is one of the best players. He is playing a lot (of cricket) and he knows how to come out of these situations. It takes time, if you back players, it will be really good."

Kohli has not hit a century in international cricket since 2019. After missing the first ODI against England at The Oval due to a groin strain, Kohli made just 16 in the second match at Lord's, which India lost by 100 runs.

It meant that the right-hander has been without a century in 77 consecutive international innings. Before the ODI series, Kohli had scores of 1 and 11 in the second and third T20Is and made 11 and 20 in the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston.

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The ODI series decider match at Manchester on Sunday will provide Kohli a chance to get a big knock under his belt. After the end of England tour, Kohli will not be a part of India's white-ball tour of the West Indies, with his name missing from the three-match ODI series squad and five-match T20I series squad in the Caribbean.